Corn Planter Advice??

New England Farmer · Feb 10, 2009

I'm looking for a small corn planter. I'm not familiar with how they work, or even how they hook up. I know they hook up to the 3 Pt hitch, and I don't believe they run off the PTO. What are the "plates" I'm reading about? Anyone have any suggestions for what make/model would fit the 8N? Preferably a one row, I guess I'd entertain a two row also. Defanitely used. Thoughts??

Anonymous-0 · Feb 10, 2009

I bought a 2 row John Deere Lister type planter, at a Farm Sale in 2004 for $7. It's put a lot of seed in the ground since then. Works excellent behind my 8N.

If you open the seed cans, there will be a round, flat(ish) plate at the bottm. This is the "plate". It is, basically, the "metering" device that drops the seed one at a time.
It allows for different sizes of seed, as well as different types (milo, pumpkin, corn, etc) of seed. The John Deere has the most readily available plates - but DO NOT buy them from JD! I bought a bucket full of plates of all different sizes at another sale for 50¢. The newwer planters don't have these plates, but use a different delivery system.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 10, 2009

I have an old AC two row planter converted to three point hitch for sale. (central NY state) I also have a bunch of plates for it. The press wheels run the mechanism (i.e."ground drive") It has the fert. attachments but I have never used that part. e-mail me if interested

caterpillar guy · Feb 10, 2009

The plates are accessed from the bottom of the seed box.There is usually a wing nut that unscrews then by tilting and lifting the box comes off. There are different methods for secureing the cast iron ring holding the plate in. Don't pound on it they are cast iron rather fragile. Then the plates will need to be sized for the seed you are planting ( flat,round,large or small). They'er used to be a chart on the back of the seed bag for this and a number on the front top edge for the corresponding chart and seed plate. It has been years since I have delt with plates so forgot as much as I knew.LOL

Spook · Feb 10, 2009

I had a Ford 309 2 row plate planter. Worked quite well, but the plates were very expensive. I bought a JD 70 4 row for 300. Look on the Photo ads on the left side of this page or the regular ads there or ebay, craigslist, etc.

Bill(Wis) · Feb 10, 2009

There are tons and tons of two row planters to be had. Most are approx 40-50 years old. Most have 38" row spacing. Assuming that's not an issue (30" rows are now pretty much the standard) then look into the condition of the planter. If it has a fertilizer attachment it will most likely be rusted. If you look long enough and hard enpogh, you might find one with the original paint on it and very little wear sitting in a shed somewhere. If you have a pickup truck you can haul it home. Three point or not is not terribly important as the pull behinds work well. Limiting factor with an 8N will be the weight if you insist on three point. An N will support 500-600 lbs but not much more. Any more than that will require weights on the front of the tractor and even then I doubt that that little tiny hydraulic system will lift more that about 800 lbs on those skinny little Cat 1(-) lift arms. The better made and designed planters were JD and IH but there were others as well.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 11, 2009

The planter I have is also has adjustable row settings - you can move them in or out to widen (or narrow) the width between the rows. You'd have to get a pretty good sized planter before your 8N couldn't handle it. Take a look at a few farm sales, you might find one cheap, depending on your location.

Corn Planter Advice??

New England Farmer

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caterpillar guy

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